Do You Use Water Beads?

[DaycareMama]

Just wondering who uses water beads and if you do where do you get them?

I guess also if you liked them how many do you need for each child to have like a dish pan full?

And..from what I have seen there are different qualities? Some that are reusable that you can dry out and use again? I want those

[Country Kids]

what are water beads?

[DaycareMama]

Oh there so cool looking ... let me find the thing i just read and i will link it..

[DaycareMama]

http://waterbeads.net/

Scroll down to the video with the two older woman it shows you how they work and explains how they are reuseable.

I see them used (on pintrest) in sensory bins , floral agrangements and so on

[DaycareMama]

Double post

[DaycareMama]

For some reason I cant add the link. It is telling me that it has to be approved???

[SilverSabre25]

For some reason I cant add the link. It is telling me that it has to be approved???

Yeah that happens sometimes...I'm not sure why but one of the other mods might know

[melskids]

We absolutely LOVE them!

I don't remember which site I Bought them from, I had just googled it.

I bought WAY to many , not realizing how much they expand!!! 6 teaspoons filled my whole water table!

They are supposed to be the ones that shrink back down, but after a while waiting for them to do so, they started to smell a little like mildew so I just chucked them.

I have plenty more, so I didn't mind. I bought too much, and can fill the table again 10 times!!!!

Here are some pics of us playing with them....

http://mountaintopdaycare.blogspot.com/2011/09/water-beads.html

[Heidi]

I think there are two kinds of these. We bought Orbeez at Kmart, and they are designed for kids. The ones from the craft stores say things like "toxic" and "not a toy"....I didn't get those.

I got two boxes (3 packages each) of Orbeez, and that is a ton! They where $6.99 each, and Kmart is usually more expensive than WM or others.

[DaycareMama]

I think there are two kinds of these. We bought Orbeez at Kmart, and they are designed for kids. The ones from the craft stores say things like "toxic" and "not a toy"....I didn't get those.

I got two boxes (3 packages each) of Orbeez, and that is a ton! They where $6.99 each, and Kmart is usually more expensive than WM or others.

Do the orbeez last just as long and also shrink back?

[SD DaycareMOM]

LOVE them!

I actually got some donated to me by a daycare parent. THey were already dyed and hydrated (had been used in centerpieces at an event). We played and played and played with those things...they were so cool! After a few months, they started getting too fragile, they would just mush apart when touched, but we definately got our use out of them. I also did dry quite a few out and have used those with the kids as well, and still have some left. I spread them out in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with paper towels.

The kids had a lot of fun mixing their own colors in ice cube trays (with liquid water colors) and dropped in a dehydrated bead or two into each compartment. THen the beads would hydrate and be the colors that they had created. We also did a really fun science "vanishing image" demonstration from Steve Spangler that you should be able to see here: http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/...-jelly-marbles When I am ready for more, I will probably order them from Steve Spangler's website, he calls them jelly marbles.

And, melskids - I think I am your newest fan - great post!!!

[Sunchimes]

Are they large enough that they aren't a choking hazard? Mine are still putting everything in their mouth.

[countrymom]

my ds got them as a birthday gift. He LOVES THEM and he's 9. Did you know that they bounce too. my only concern is that my littles will try and eat them, so if you have littles I don't recommend them. now I need to check our stores for them. I know ds would love a whole bin of them.

[Beach Baby]

Melskids, that baby is SO CUTE! Those water beads look like lots of fun! We are going to have to give them a try!

[melskids]

Thanks ladies.

I would definetely make sure the ones your buy are non toxic, and yes, they are probably a choking hazard.

I sit right next to them (the younger ones) when they play with them, to make sure they dont get put in their mouths.